The Atlanta Hawks made another roster move ahead of the 2025-26 NBA season, sending former first-round pick Kobe Bufkin to the Brooklyn Nets. Drafted 15th overall in 2023, Bufkin never carved out a consistent role in Atlanta’s rotation, averaging 5.3 points and 2.1 rebounds in just 10 games last season. The trade provides him with a fresh start in Brooklyn, where developmental opportunities remain a priority. For Atlanta, it’s about balancing roster depth, finances, and long-term planning.

According to reports, the Hawks dealt Bufkin to the Nets in exchange for cash considerations. By structuring the deal without taking salary back, Atlanta created a $4.5 million traded player exception (TPE). The move also pushes them $7.7 million below the luxury tax line and $15.8 million under the first-apron hard cap, while the Nets take advantage of their open cap space to absorb Bufkin’s deal. For Brooklyn, it’s a low-risk acquisition of a 21-year-old guard who still has upside.

Brooklyn Nets Roster and Cap Breakdown

The Nets’ acquisition of Kobe Bufkin for cash considerations added another young guard to a roster already brimming with backcourt talent. Bufkin, the No. 15 pick in 2023, arrives with two years of team control left on his deal, giving Brooklyn a low-cost guard to evaluate after injuries limited him to just 27 games across his first two seasons. Alongside him, the Nets doubled down on youth this offseason, inking draft picks Egor Demin, Ben Saraf, Drake Powell, Nolan Traore, and Danny Wolf to rookie contracts, all of whom are expected to compete for developmental minutes.

Veteran reshuffling was just as significant. Brooklyn moved on from Cam Johnson, trading him to Denver for Michael Porter Jr. and a future first-rounder, while also acquiring Terance Mann in the multi-team Kristaps Porzingis deal. Haywood Highsmith joined from Miami, bringing defensive depth and an expiring $5.6 million deal. Cam Thomas returned on a one-year, $6 million qualifying offer after posting 24 points per game in limited action last season, while Ziaire Williams and Day’Ron Sharpe were retained to shore up the rotation. With so many wings and guards crowding the depth chart, training camp battles and potential cuts loom large.

On the salary front, before the trade, the Nets had roughly $1.9 million in current cap space, with the ability to increase that total by trimming non-guaranteed contracts. The first apron sits at approximately $54.3 million, and the second apron at about $66.2 million, giving the organization significant room to maneuver if it chooses to take on contracts in exchange for future draft picks or other assets. The team is still operating below the salary floor, and front office officials are expected to bring total salaries up to meet the floor by filling out the roster to 15 standard deals before the season.

Current Roster:

• Guards: Keon Johnson, Tyrese Martin, Ben Saraf, Egor Demin, Tyson Etienne (Two Way), Nolan Traore, Cam Thomas, Kobe Bufkin
• Forwards: Terance Mann, Drake Powell, Noah Clowney, Dariq Whitehead, Jalen Wilson, Haywood Highsmith, Drew Timme, Michael Porter Jr., E.J. Liddell (Two Way), Zaire Williams
• Centers: Danny Wolf, Nic Claxton, Day’Ron Sharpe

This approach reflects Brooklyn’s strategy of balancing long-term flexibility with short-term experimentation. Adding Porter Jr. and Mann provides immediate rotational help, while Bufkin and the rookies give the front office a chance to evaluate upside on cheap contracts. With roster spots exceeding the league limit, camp cuts are inevitable, but the Nets’ ability to maintain cap room and collect assets while staying competitive positions them to pivot quickly if a star trade materializes during the season.

Atlanta Hawks Roster and Cap Breakdown

The Atlanta Hawks have undergone significant roster changes this offseason, aiming to strengthen their lineup for the upcoming season. Key additions include Kristaps Porzingis, acquired in a three-team trade with the Boston Celtics and Brooklyn Nets, and Nickeil Alexander-Walker, signed via a sign-and-trade with the Minnesota Timberwolves.

The Hawks also signed sharpshooter Luke Kennard to a one-year, $11 million deal, enhancing their perimeter shooting. In the 2025 NBA Draft, the Hawks selected Asa Newell with the 23rd overall pick. They traded their 13th pick to the New Orleans Pelicans in exchange for the Pelicans’ unprotected 2026 first-round pick, which is the most favorable of New Orleans or Milwaukee.

The Hawks’ team salary before the trade stood at approximately $195.3 million, which is about $40.7 million over the 2025-26 salary cap of $154.6 million. With the luxury tax threshold set at $187.9 million, Atlanta is operating above this line, indicating a significant payroll commitment.

Additionally, the team is hard-capped at $195.9 million, limiting their flexibility for additional moves. However, the trade of Kobe Bufkin to the Nets created a $4.5 million trade exception without taking back salary, adding further financial flexibility.

Strategically, the Hawks’ offseason moves reflect a balance between immediate competitiveness and long-term planning. The acquisition of Porzingis provides a proven scoring and rebounding presence in the frontcourt, while Alexander-Walker and Kennard bolster backcourt depth. The combination of these additions positions Atlanta to compete in the Eastern Conference while keeping an eye on future growth.

Looking ahead, the Hawks’ salary situation and roster composition suggest that Atlanta is prepared to navigate the 2025–26 season with both competitiveness and cap discipline in mind. By leveraging trade exceptions and maintaining some financial wiggle room, the franchise can make targeted moves if opportunities arise, ensuring that the team remains a playoff contender without risking long-term cap stability.

Current Roster:

• Guards: Luke Kennard, Trae Young, Nickeil Alexander-Walker, Vit Krejci, Dyson Daniels, Keaton Wallace (Two Way), Nikola Djurisic
• Forwards: Caleb Houstan, Onyeka Okongwu, Jalen Johnson, Jacob Toppin (Two Way), Mouhamed Gueye, Zaccharie Risacher, Asa Newell
• Centers: Kristaps Porzingis, Charles Bassey, N’Faly Dante, Eli Ndiaye (Two Way)

The Bufkin trade may not headline the NBA offseason, but it reflects both teams’ priorities. Brooklyn gets another young guard to develop alongside their growing core while maintaining ample cap space for future moves.

Atlanta gains financial flexibility and trims their roster to focus on players who can immediately impact their playoff aspirations. Both franchises have had busy offseasons, and this deal is another step in shaping their paths for 2025-26 and beyond.